Let the sunshine in: Heart disease plus too little vitamin D = depression.

In recent weeks, there have been a number of interesting reports on vitamin D in the news. For example, our attempts to limit sun exposure to reduce skin cancer may have an unexpected affect on our brains. http://bit.ly/1Lae1V Small-scale studies have documented low vitamin D levels in children and adolescents, even as evidence mounts about the critical role of this vitamin in maintaining health and preventing disease. In one large study of 6,000 kids in the United States, 7 of 10 had low levels of vitamin D, raising their risk of bone and heart disease. http://bit.ly/1600pT

In a report to be presented later today at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions (the embargo has been lifted, that’s why I can tell you about it), investigators evaluated about 9,000 people with cardiovascular disease. Very low levels of vitamin D were associated with depression; this was particularly evident among those with no prior incidence of depression.

And yes, winter (when many people see little sun for days on end), enhanced the association overall and was even a factor in those people who had never before had a diagnosis of depression.

Comment: Another recent report found that too little vitamin D nearly doubles heart disease risk in diabetics. Clearly vitamin D is important. http://bit.ly/3Jn70G If you’re concerned about skin cancer, maybe you should try to consume more dairy products; even low-fat and skim milk is rich in vitamin D. Another option is to take vitamin supplements, although I prefer not to make blanket recommendations that we all need to be popping vitamin pills every day. A multi-vitamin with vitamin D might be valuable (and not JUST for the vitamin D). Clearly, the weight of the evidence suggests many of us are getting far too little of this critical vitamin, so taking personal steps to up our intake a little might be very beneficial.